Investing in a mattress topper not only gives you better quality of sleep, it’s good for your bank balance, too. Like most household items, mattresses and mattrress quality can degrade over time (expectedly, considering they are used 365 days out of the year). That’s why, protecting it can be a sure-fire technique to enhance its lifespan and longevity. 

With this in mind, you might be wondering what exactly does a mattress topper do? And, are mattress toppers worth it?

In this guide, we cover these exact questions and provide an overview of the mattress toppers. We’ll highlight how a quality mattress topper can benefit the longevity of your sleeping environment, save you money, and most importantly, improve your quality of sleep.

So, what are mattress toppers?

A mattress topper is a removable layer of padding that is placed on top of a mattress underneath the sheets to enhance comfort and support. It is typically made of materials like memory foam, Hollowfibre, down, wool, or latex.

What are mattress toppers for?

• Mattress toppers add an extra layer of cushioning and can relieve pressure points and improve overall sleep quality.
• They can also be used to modify the firmness or softness of an existing mattress, providing personalised comfort preferences.
• They protect and extend the longevity of the mattress.
• Your bed will be more comfortable, helping you to keep your mattress for longer.

Different types of mattress toppers

To better understand the different products and which may be the best mattress topper for you, take a look at their differentiating features:

Firmness

The firmness of your bedding surface is all-important.

Some people want to soften a hard mattress. A mattress topper provides an excellent solution in this case.

A mattress topper will also help you firm up a mattress that feels too soft. This is often an important consideration for those with back, shoulder, or hip problems.

Ranging from soft to comfortably firm solutions means there is a mattress topper to meet virtually every comfort need.

Filling

Mattress topper types come with a variety of different fillings. The most popular are:

• Hollowfibre: Hollowfibre toppers like the Snuggledown Supreme Luxury are filled with hollow polyester fibres that create a plush and breathable layer on top of the mattress. Hollowfibre toppers are hypoallergenic, lightweight, and easy to maintain. This popular choice is an excellent value-for-money option.
• Memory foam mattress topper: Memory foam mattress toppers are made from a viscoelastic material that conforms to the body's shape, providing personalised cushioning and pressure point relief. Memory foam is typically more expensive than hollowfibre. Memory foam toppers like the Slumberdown Memory Comfort help distribute weight evenly, reducing the likelihood of waking up with aches and pains. They can also isolate motion, making them a great option for couples or restless sleepers.
• Natural down and wool toppers: Down mattress toppers are made from the soft and fluffy down of ducks or geese. They provide exceptional softness and insulation. Wool toppers are made from natural sheep's wool and offer a balance of comfort and temperature regulation. Wool and down offer luxurious comfort at a premium price point.

Thickness

Toppers are available in various thicknesses. To assure at least medium support, a topper thickness over 7 cm (~3 inches) is usually advisable for adults.

A mattress topper of 4 cm like the Slumberdown Airstream provides good comfort with a lightweight feel. A 4 cm topper should be made up of two layers and has sufficient depth to 'feel' the body's contours.

Outer material

Mattress toppers come in a wide selection of outer cover materials. Your cover could be fleecy, cotton, microfibre, or durable blend fabric.

How do mattress toppers work?

The different mattress topper types have unique design capabilities to deliver optimal performance.

Memory foam mattress toppers, in particular, work by conforming to the shape of the body, providing personalised support to the back, shoulder, and spine. Your memory foam mattress is also built to ease back into place after use.

The lightweight hollowfibre toppers comprise breathable fibres and ventilation sections that allow air to circulate between you and your bedding. This works to keep you cool, dry, and fresh.

Many mattress toppers are designed specifically for temperature regulation. These products are infused with cooling gel or have open-cell structures for better airflow, dissipating heat, and keeping the bed cool.

A down topper traps warm air between the feathery layers, which makes it a smart solution if you're looking to keep snug and warm.

Finally, a wool mattress topper benefits from wool's breathability and ability to draw moisture (like sweat) and dry it quickly so that it doesn't saturate the fabric. This helps to regulate body temperature, keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter.

Key features of a mattress topper

A good mattress topper should include:

• Elasticised straps or anti-slip fabric on the bottom layer to secure the topper above the mattress and prevent it from shifting
• A cover with special stitching or quilt design to ensure the filling stays evenly distributed within the unit
• The cover may be zippable so you can remove it for washing

Other features:

• Many toppers are two-sided - letting you alternate your sleeping surface
• Anti-allergy mattress toppers are readily available

What are the main benefits of using a mattress topper?

We've briefly touched on this earlier, but let's take a deeper dive into the benefits of a mattress topper:

• Improved sleep comfort: A high-quality topper provides additional comfort layers, creating an even more comfortable and forgiving mattress. The right bed topper is an intervention to mitigate back or joint pains
• Extended mattress life: A mattress topper extends the longevity of your mattress. Inevitably your mattress will start to sag slightly or lose some shape due to constant use. By using a mattress topper, this upper layer absorbs the strain and not the mattress. The happy result is you won't need to replace your mattress as regularly. If you use a mattress topper together with a brand-new mattress you can extend the life of your new purchase by years.
• Better hygiene: You will likely have seen the discolouration which marks an older mattress. This is due to body perspiration and bacteria that enter the material.
  Food and drink and cigarettes in bed have been known to spoil mattresses too! Then there are dead skin particles and dust mites that are drawn to this 'snack'.
  A mattress topper mitigates much of this. Toppers are washable, making their use a viable alternative to trying to constantly wash and keep your mattress clean.

Is a mattress topper necessary?

Is a mattress topper worth buying? If you've invested in a good quality mattress and feel you're getting a reasonable night's sleep, it's fair to ask the question.

Your sleeping arrangements and comfort levels may be entirely satisfactory. And using a mattress protector - an extra cover for your mattress that helps protect against staining, allergens, and discolouration - keeps the mattress more hygienic.

Mattress protectors are thinner than toppers and not designed to provide sleeping support.

There are several circumstances where a mattress topper may make sense:

1. Your new mattress is too hard - It's not unusual that your new mattress feels harder than you're used to. A mattress topper will provide a softer top layer until the mattress feels 'worn in'.
2. You have just purchased a new mattress and hope to extend its life.
3. Your existing mattress is starting to feel saggy, but you're not ready to buy a brand-new one yet.
4. A mattress sleeping one person is now sleeping two - due to a relationship change, for example.
5. Your mattress causes a mild allergic reaction. A topper or mattress pad can help protect against allergens.

The best mattress toppers have been quality designed drawing on the latest in sleep science and technology.

When is a good time to buy a mattress topper?

There is no right or wrong time to buy a mattress topper. However, if your new mattress is too hard for you to sleep comfortably, a topper will provide pleasant relief until your mattress feels easier.

If your existing mattress is starting to sag slightly, a topper will give it a new lease on life.

Changes in personal circumstances, like a relationship change or a bouncy new baby in the bed, will inform the right time to invest in a mattress topper.

Shop mattress toppers with Sleepseeker

Choosing the right mattress topper for your personal circumstances involves considering a host of factors including product thickness and firmness, filling and cover material, as well as specific needs relating to allergies or temperature regulation.

The expert Sleepseeker team is standing by to help you with any further queries you may have. We have a range of bedding options that may provide the exact answer you're seeking.

Sleepseeker is committed to supplying sustainably manufactured quality bedding materials at affordable prices backed by always excellent customer service.

FAQs

Can you wash a mattress topper?

Most toppers are washable, although different types of toppers require different washing procedures so you should be guided by the manufacturer's instructions.

Do you need a mattress topper and mattress protector?

The two products have different functions. Mattress toppers can improve the comfort of your bed, whereas mattress protectors are intended to keep your mattress clean. Whether you use both will come down to your personal preference.

Can mattress toppers improve sleep?

Yes! By taking some pressure off your joints, regulating your temperature and making your mattress more comfortable, you will definitely experience improved sleep.